Settings management of an online service

ABSTRACT

Methods and systems of managing settings are described. According to various embodiments, a settings page corresponding to a user&#39;s settings on an online service may be caused to be displayed on a device. The settings page may comprise selectable category setting options for a setting category. The setting category may have a plurality of subcategories, and each subcategory may have its own selectable subcategory setting options. Each one of the category setting options may correspond to its own distinct configuration of subcategory setting options for its subcategories. A user input indicating a selection of one of the category setting options for the setting category may be received. The configuration of subcategory setting options corresponding to the selected one of the category setting options for the setting category may be applied to the user&#39;s settings on the online service.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of prior application Ser. No.14/479,211, filed on Sep. 5, 2014, which is a continuation-in-part ofand claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/956,228,filed on Jul. 31, 2013, and entitled, “SETTINGS MANAGEMENT OF AN ONLINESERVICE,” which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.61/860,146, filed on Jul. 30, 2013, and entitled “METHODS AND SYSTEMS OFSETTINGS MANAGEMENT,” each of which is hereby incorporated by referencein its entirety as if set forth herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present application relates generally to data processing systemsand, in one specific example, to methods and systems of managingsettings for a user's membership on an online service.

BACKGROUND

Social network sites and other web sites allow a user to adjust certainsettings. However, current settings pages suffer from poor visibilityand actionable ability on behalf of the user. A lot of settings that auser may want to adjust are not readily apparent or easily identifiableas to what these settings actually are and how they may affect the user.Therefore, finding settings and determining their meaning can bedifficult.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some embodiments are illustrated by way of example and not limitation inthe figures of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a client-server system, inaccordance with an example embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional components of a socialnetwork service within a networked system, in accordance with an exampleembodiment;

FIG. 3A illustrates a user interface in which one category settingoption has been selected, in accordance with an example embodiment:

FIG. 3B illustrates a user interface in which another category settingoption has been selected, in accordance with an example embodiment;

FIG. 4 illustrates a user interface in which a recommendation of aproposed setting option, in accordance with an example embodiment;

FIG. 5 illustrates a user interface in which information regarding adifference between a setting option being applied and not being applied,in accordance with an example embodiment:

FIG. 6 illustrates a user interface in which settings may be searched,in accordance with an example embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a method of managing settings, inaccordance with an example embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a method of enabling a user tocustomize a configuration of subcategory setting options for a categorysetting option, in accordance with an example embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a method of providing a preview of aneffect of a setting option being applied, in accordance with an exampleembodiment;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a method of adjusting settingoptions for a user based on setting options of other users, inaccordance with an example embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a method of providing arecommendation of a proposed setting option, in accordance with anexample embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a method of enabling a user tosearch for settings, in accordance with an example embodiment; and

FIG. 13 is a block diagram of an example computer system on whichmethodologies described herein may be executed, in accordance with anexample embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example methods and systems of managing settings for a user's membershipon an online service are described. In the following description, forpurposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth inorder to provide a thorough understanding of example embodiments. Itwill be evident, however, to one skilled in the art that the presentembodiments may be practiced without these specific details.

The present disclosure provides several advancements in settingsmanagement. The techniques disclosed herein improve the visibility andactionability of settings. The settings and user choices of thosesettings disclosed herein may be changeable and fixable, and thereforemay evolve over time rather than being fixed after an initialconfiguration.

In some embodiments, a method comprises determining a legal jurisdictionassociated with a user of an online service, and then causing, by atleast one processor, a settings page corresponding to settings of theuser on the online service to be displayed on a device. The settingspage can comprise selectable category setting options for a settingcategory. The setting category can have a plurality of subcategories,and each subcategory can have its own selectable subcategory settingoptions. Each one of the category setting options can correspond to itsown distinct configuration of subcategory setting options for itssubcategories, and each subcategory setting option for each of theplurality of subcategories can be displayed and available for selectionacross all configurations of the category setting options. One of theselectable category setting options can be preselected for the userbased on the legal jurisdiction associated with the user. A user inputindicating a selection of one of the category setting options for thesetting category can be received, and the configuration of subcategorysetting options corresponding to the selected one of the categorysetting options for the setting category can be applied to the user'ssettings on the online service.

In some embodiments, the legal jurisdiction is determined based on oneor more of an Internet Protocol (IP) address associated with the device,a media access control (MAC) address associated with the device, globalpositioning system (GPS) location information associated with thedevice, or profile information of the user. However, it is contemplatedthat the legal jurisdiction can be determined in other ways as well.

In some embodiments, the online service comprises a social networkservice. However, it is contemplated that other online services are alsowithin the scope of the present disclosure, including, but not limitedto, content sharing sites (e.g., photo- or video-sharing sites) and anyother online services that allow users to have a profile and presentthemselves or content to other users.

The user's settings may correspond to the user's membership on theonline service. Such membership settings may relate to issues ofparticipation, visibility, sharability, and accessibility, as well as avariety of other issues as well. The settings may apply to a user, or toa piece of content or conversation. In some embodiments, the settingsmay apply to a group of users, where a single user may adjust thesettings for the group of users (e.g., one user deciding how public theactivities and membership of the group should be within the onlineservice).

In some embodiments, the method further comprises receiving, from theuser, an indication to assign a customized configuration of subcategorysetting options for the subcategories of the setting category to one ofthe category setting options for the setting category, and assigning thecustomized configuration of subcategory setting options for thesubcategories of the setting category to the one of the category settingoptions for the setting category based on the indication from the user.

In some embodiments, the settings page further comprises at least onegraphical user interface element configured to enable the user toindicate the selection of one of the category setting options for thesetting category. In some embodiments, the graphical user interfaceelement(s) comprise a slider.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises causing to bedisplayed on the device a preview of an effect of at least one of thesubcategory setting options being applied to the user's membership onthe online service. The preview may be caused to be displayed on thedevice in response to a selection by the user of the at least one of thesubcategory setting options and prior to the application of the at leastone of the subcategory setting options to the user's membership.

In some embodiments, the method may further comprise causing to bedisplayed on the device, subsequent to the configuration of subcategorysetting options being applied to the user's membership, informationregarding a difference between the configuration of subcategory settingoptions being applied to the user's membership and the configuration ofsubcategory setting options not being applied to the user's membership.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises determining aconfiguration of subcategory setting options to be assigned to one ofthe category setting options based on configurations of correspondingsubcategory setting options for other users of the online service. Insome embodiments, the other users are determined based on a similaritybetween profile information of their profiles with the correspondingprofile information of the user's profile. In some embodiments, theprofile information comprises at least one of work-related information,skill-related information, interest-related information,activity-related information, and education-related information. In someembodiments, the method further comprises automatically assigning thedetermined configuration of subcategory setting options to the one ofthe category setting options.

In some embodiments, a configuration of subcategory setting options orchanges to subcategory setting options may be determined and recommendedto a user based on the user's activity within the online service. Forexample, if it is determined that a user has been searching for a newjob online or has indicated that he or she is looking for a new job(e.g., via a status setting on the user's profile), a more publicsetting (as opposed to a private setting) may be determined andrecommended for the user. In another example, if it is determined that auser has a profession that requires discretion, then a more privatesetting may be determined and recommended for the user. In yet anotherexample, if it is determined that a user is close to his or hergraduation date, then it may be assumed that the user is likely to belooking for a job and would prefer more public settings for jobsearches. In yet another example, if it is determined that a user hasset his or her relationship status as “single,” the it may be determinedthat the user is more inclined to have less private settings than a userwho just set his or her relationship status to “engaged.” It iscontemplated that other examples of settings being based on useractivity within the online service are also within the scope of thepresent disclosure.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises determining a proposedsubcategory setting option for the user based on a correspondingsubcategory setting option for other users of the online service,causing a recommendation of the proposed subcategory setting option tobe displayed on the device, receiving a user input instructingapplication of the proposed subcategory setting option to the user'smembership on the online service, and applying the proposed subcategorysetting option to the user's membership on the online service inresponse to receiving the user input instructing application.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises receiving asituation-based selection from the user, the situation-based selectionindicating that the selected category setting option or at least one ofthe selected subcategory setting options should be used in a specificsituation, and using, based on the situation-based selection, theselected category setting option or the at least one of the selectedsubcategory setting options for the user's membership during thespecific situation. In some embodiments, the specific situation is whenthe user's membership on the online service is being engaged via amobile device. In some embodiments, the specific situation is based onthe user's location.

In some embodiments, the setting category comprises privacy-relatedsettings or communications-related settings. It is contemplated thatother settings are also within the scope of the present disclosure,including, but not limited to, general visibility-related settings,settings related to whether a user or group of users is open to newconnections, settings related to whether a user or group of users isopen to commercial opportunities, and settings related to whether a useror group of users is open to sharing data or content.

In some embodiments, the method may further comprise receiving a searchquery from the user via a webpage of the online service, determining oneor more setting categories or setting subcategories related to thesearch query in response to receiving the search query, and causing thedetermined one or more setting categories or setting subcategoriesrelated to the search query to be displayed to the user in response todetermining the one or more setting categories or setting subcategoriesrelated to the search query. In some embodiments, the method may furthercomprise causing selectable category setting options or selectablesubcategory setting options corresponding to the determined one or moresetting categories or setting subcategories related to the search queryto be displayed to the user based on the search query.

The methods or embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as acomputer system having one or more modules (e.g., hardware modules orsoftware modules). Such modules may be executed by one or moreprocessors of the computer system. The methods or embodiments disclosedherein may be embodied as instructions stored on a machine-readablemedium that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one ormore processors to perform the instructions.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a client-server system, inaccordance with an example embodiment. A networked system 102 providesserver-side functionality via a network 104 (e.g., the Internet or WideArea Network (WAN)) to one or more clients. FIG. 1 illustrates, forexample, a web client 106 (e.g., a browser) and a programmatic client108 executing on respective client machines 110 and 112.

An Application Program Interface (API) server 114 and a web server 116are coupled to, and provide programmatic and web interfaces respectivelyto, one or more application servers 118. The application servers 118host one or more applications 120. The application servers 118 are, inturn, shown to be coupled to one or more database servers 124 thatfacilitate access to one or more databases 126. While the applications120 are shown in FIG. 1 to form part of the networked system 102, itwill be appreciated that, in alternative embodiments, the applications120 may form part of a service that is separate and distinct from thenetworked system 102.

Further, while the system 100 shown in FIG. 1 employs a client-serverarchitecture, the present disclosure is of course not limited to such anarchitecture, and could equally well find application in a distributed,or peer-to-peer, architecture system, for example. The variousapplications 120 could also be implemented as standalone softwareprograms, which do not necessarily have networking capabilities.

The web client 106 accesses the various applications 120 via the webinterface supported by the web server 116. Similarly, the programmaticclient 108 accesses the various services and functions provided by theapplications 120 via the programmatic interface provided by the APIserver 114.

FIG. 1 also illustrates a third party application 128, executing on athird party server machine 130, as having programmatic access to thenetworked system 102 via the programmatic interface provided by the APIserver 114. For example, the third party application 128 may, utilizinginformation retrieved from the networked system 102, support one or morefeatures or functions on a website hosted by the third party. The thirdparty website may, for example, provide one or more functions that aresupported by the relevant applications of the networked system 102.

In some embodiments, the networked system 102 may comprise functionalcomponents of a social network service. FIG. 2 is a block diagramshowing functional components of a social network service within thenetworked system 102, in accordance with an example embodiment. As shownin FIG. 2, the social network service may be based on a three-tieredarchitecture, consisting of a front end layer 201, an application logiclayer 203, and a data layer 205. In some embodiments, the modules,systems, and/or engines shown in FIG. 2 represent a set of executablesoftware instructions and the corresponding hardware (e.g., memory andprocessor) for executing the instructions. To avoid obscuring theinventive subject matter with unnecessary detail, various functionalmodules and engines that are not germane to conveying an understandingof the inventive subject matter have been omitted from FIG. 2. However,one skilled in the art will readily recognize that various additionalfunctional modules and engines may be used with a social network system,such as that illustrated in FIG. 2, to facilitate additionalfunctionality that is not specifically described herein. Furthermore,the various functional modules and engines depicted in FIG. 2 may resideon a single server computer, or may be distributed across several servercomputers in various arrangements. Moreover, although a social networkservice is depicted in FIG. 2 as a three-tiered architecture, theinventive subject matter is by no means limited to such architecture. Itis contemplated that other types of architecture are within the scope ofthe present disclosure.

As shown in FIG. 2, in some embodiments, the front end layer 201comprises a user interface module (e.g., a web server) 202, whichreceives requests from various client-computing devices, andcommunicates appropriate responses to the requesting client devices. Forexample, the user interface module(s) 202 may receive requests in theform of Hypertext Transport Protocol (HTTP) requests, or otherweb-based, application programming interface (API) requests.

In some embodiments, the application logic layer 203 includes variousapplication server modules 204, which, in conjunction with the userinterface module(s) 202, generates various user interfaces (e.g., webpages) with data retrieved from various data sources in the data layer205. In some embodiments, individual application server modules 204 areused to implement the functionality associated with various services andfeatures of the social network service. For instance, the ability of anorganization to establish a presence in the social graph of the socialnetwork service, including the ability to establish a customized webpage on behalf of an organization, and to publish messages or statusupdates on behalf of an organization, may be services implemented inindependent application server modules 204. Similarly, a variety ofother applications or services that are made available to members of thesocial network service may be embodied in their own application servermodules 204.

As shown in FIG. 2, the data layer 205 may include several databases,such as a database 210 for storing profile data 216, including bothmember profile data as well as profile data for various organizations.Consistent with some embodiments, when a person initially registers tobecome a member of the social network service, the person will beprompted to provide some personal information, such as his or her name,age (e.g., birthdate), gender, interests, contact information, hometown, address, the names of the member's spouse and/or family members,educational background (e.g., schools, majors, matriculation and/orgraduation dates, etc.), employment history, skills, professionalorganizations, and so on. This information may be stored, for example,in the database 210. Similarly, when a representative of an organizationinitially registers the organization with the social network service,the representative may be prompted to provide certain information aboutthe organization. This information may be stored, for example, in thedatabase 210, or another database (not shown). With some embodiments,the profile data 216 may be processed (e.g., in the background oroffline) to generate various derived profile data. For example, if amember has provided information about various job titles the member hasheld with the same company or different companies, and for how long,this information can be used to infer or derive a member profileattribute indicating the member's overall seniority level, or senioritylevel within a particular company. With some embodiments, importing orotherwise accessing data from one or more externally hosted data sourcesmay enhance profile data 216 for both members and organizations. Forinstance, with companies in particular, financial data may be importedfrom one or more external data sources, and made part of a company'sprofile.

The profile data 216 may also include information regarding settings formembers of the social network service. These settings may comprisevarious categories, including, but not limited to, privacy andcommunications. Each category may have its own set of settings that amember may control.

Once registered, a member may invite other members, or be invited byother members, to connect via the social network service. A “connection”may require a bi-lateral agreement by the members, such that bothmembers acknowledge the establishment of the connection. Similarly, withsome embodiments, a member may elect to “follow” another member. Incontrast to establishing a connection, the concept of “following”another member typically is a unilateral operation, and at least withsome embodiments, does not require acknowledgement or approval by themember that is being followed. When one member follows another, themember who is following may receive status updates or other messagespublished by the member being followed, or relating to variousactivities undertaken by the member being followed. Similarly, when amember follows an organization, the member becomes eligible to receivemessages or status updates published on behalf of the organization. Forinstance, messages or status updates published on behalf of anorganization that a member is following will appear in the member'spersonalized data feed or content stream. In any case, the variousassociations and relationships that the members establish with othermembers, or with other entities and objects, may be stored andmaintained within a social graph database 212.

The social network service may provide a broad range of otherapplications and services that allow members the opportunity to shareand receive information, often customized to the interests of themember. For example, with some embodiments, the social network servicemay include a photo sharing application that allows members to uploadand share photos with other members. With some embodiments, members maybe able to self-organize into groups, or interest groups, organizedaround a subject matter or topic of interest. With some embodiments, thesocial network service may host various job listings providing detailsof job openings with various organizations.

As members interact with the various applications, services and contentmade available via the social network service, the members' behavior(e.g., content viewed, links or member-interest buttons selected, etc.)may be monitored and information 218 concerning the member's activitiesand behavior may be stored, for example, as indicated in FIG. 2 by thedatabase 214. This information 218 may be used to classify the member asbeing in various categories. For example, if the member performsfrequent searches of job listings, thereby exhibiting behaviorindicating that the member is a likely job seeker, this information 218can be used to classify the member as a job seeker. This classificationcan then be used as a member profile attribute for purposes of enablingothers to target the member for receiving messages or status updates.

In some embodiments, the social network service provides an applicationprogramming interface (API) module via which third-party applicationscan access various services and data provided by the social networkservice. For example, using an API, a third-party application mayprovide a user interface and logic that enables an authorizedrepresentative of an organization to publish messages from a third-partyapplication to a content hosting platform of the social network servicethat facilitates presentation of activity or content streams maintainedand presented by the social network service. Such third-partyapplications may be browser-based applications, or may be operatingsystem-specific. In particular, some third-party applications may resideand execute on one or more mobile devices (e.g., a smartphone, or tabletcomputing devices) having a mobile operating system.

The data and information (e.g., profile data 216 and member activity andbehaviour data 218) in the data layer 205 may be accessed, used, andadjusted by the settings management module 206, as will be described inmore detail below in conjunction with FIGS. 3A-12. Although the settingsmanagement module 206 is referred to herein as being used in the contextof a social network service, it is contemplated that it may also beemployed in the context of any website or online services, including,but not limited to, content sharing sites (e.g., photo- or video-sharingsites) and any other online services that allow users to have a profileand present themselves or content to other users. Additionally, althoughfeatures of the present disclosure are referred to herein as being usedor presented in the context of a web page, it is contemplated that anyuser interface view (e.g., a user interface on a mobile device or ondesktop software) is within the scope of the present disclosure.

In some embodiments, the settings management module 206 may beconfigured to enable a user to adjust multiple settings within a singlecategory of settings via a single selection of a setting option. FIG. 3Aillustrates a user interface 300 for a settings page on a social networkwebsite, in which one category setting option 312 has been selected fora single setting category 310, in accordance with an example embodiment.The settings information and options referred to on the settings pagemay correspond to a user's membership (e.g., profile, account, etc.) onthe social network website. Examples of settings categories 310 include,but are not limited to, privacy and communications. It is contemplatedthat other settings categories 310 are also within the scope of thepresent disclosure. Each setting category 310 may have its own set ofone or more subcategories 320 such that these subcategories 320 fallwithin and are related to that setting category 310. For example, inFIG. 3A, the setting category 310 “Your Privacy” has a plurality ofsubcategories 320: Activity Broadcasts, Activity Feed, What Others See,Your Connections, Profile Visibility, and Other Profiles Viewed Box.

Each subcategory 320 may have its own set of selectable subcategorysetting options 322. The user may configure the setting of a subcategory320 by selecting one of its subcategory setting options 322. In oneexample, a user may configure the setting for the “What Others See”subcategory 320. As seen in FIG. 3A, the subcategory setting options 322from which the user may choose are “Name, Photo and Headline,” “Name andHeadline,” and “Anonymous.” Other examples are provided as well. In FIG.3A, the user may select the subcategory setting options 322 viaselectable radio buttons. However, it is contemplated that othergraphical user interface (GUI) elements may also be employed to enable auser to select subcategory setting options 322.

Each setting category 310 may have selectable category setting options312. The user may configure the setting of a category 310 by selectingone of its category setting options 312. In FIG. 3A, the user may selectthe category a category setting option 312 using a GUI slider 314, whichmay comprise an indicator 318 that may be moved along a track bar 316 inorder to change from one category setting option 312 to another.Employment of the GUI slider 314 may help users visualize the meaning ofthe different category setting options 312. However, it is contemplatedthat other GUI elements may also be employed to enable a user to selectcategory setting options 312.

Each category setting option 312 may correspond to its own distinctconfiguration of subcategory setting options 322. For example, in FIG.3A, the category setting option 312 of “Default” for setting category310 “Your Privacy” corresponds to the following configuration ofsubcategory setting options 322 for their respective subcategories 320:

Activity Broadcasts: Public Activity Feed: Connections What Other See:Name and Headline Your Connections: Connections Profile Visibility:Network Other Profiles Viewed Box: Enabled

In some embodiments, the user can change the settings for multiplesubcategories 320 without having to make each individual change (e.g.,multiple selections of subcategory setting options across eachsubcategory 320) by making a single selection of a different categorysetting option 312. For example, in FIG. 3B, the user has changed thesetting of the “Your Privacy” setting category 310 to “Private” usingthe slider 314. As a result, the following configuration of subcategorysetting options 322 is reflected:

Activity Broadcasts: Private Activity Feed: You What Other See:Anonymous Your Connections: You Profile Visibility: Connections OtherProfiles Viewed Box: Disabled

By assigning a configuration of multiple subcategory setting options 322to a single category setting option 312, the settings management module206 may provide the user with a more intuitive way of changing settings.In the example of the “Your Privacy” setting category 310 in FIGS. 3A-B,the user does not have to go through each subcategory 320 to figure outthe most appropriate subcategory setting option 322 for a particularsituation. If the user wants more privacy, then the user can make asingle selection of the “Private” category setting option 312. If theuser does not want much privacy at all, but rather more opennessassociated with his or her membership, then the user can make a singleselection of the “More Open” category setting option 312. If the userwants privacy that falls between private and more openness, then theuser can make a single selection of the “Default” category settingoption 312.

In some embodiments, selections made by the user may be implementedautomatically without the user having to provide confirmation. In someembodiments, the selections made by the user may be implementedautomatically only after the user has provided confirmation, such as viaa selectable “Save Changes to Settings” button or the like.

In some embodiments, the user may customize the configuration ofsubcategory setting options 322 that will correspond to a particularcategory setting option 312. For example, in FIG. 3B, if the user wantsthe “Private” category setting option 312 to correspond to the“Connections” subcategory setting option 322 for the “Activity Feed”subcategory 320, the user may customize this configuration accordingly.For example, the user may select the “Connections” subcategory settingoption 322 for the “Activity Feed” subcategory 320 while the settingcategory 310 is set to the “Private” category setting option 312. Insome embodiments, this change or customization may be implementedautomatically without the user having to provide confirmation. In someembodiments, this change or customization may be implementedautomatically only after the user has provided confirmation, such as viaa selectable “Save Customized Settings” button or the like.

In some embodiments, the settings management module 206 is configured toenable the user to customize the configurations of the subcategorysetting options 322 for the corresponding category setting option 312,as described above. This customization may be performed during theinitial setup of the user's membership on the social network service oranytime thereafter.

In some embodiments, the settings management module 206 may beconfigured to enable the user to configure his or her settings so thatcertain category setting options or certain subcategory setting optionsare used in certain situations, while other category setting options orsubcategory setting options are used in other situations. For example,the user may prefer to have one configuration of settings for situationswhere the user's membership on the social network service is beingengaged via a mobile device (e.g., a smart phone, tablet computingdevices), and a different configuration of settings for situations wherethe user's membership on the social network service is being engaged viaa non-mobile device (e.g., a desktop computer). The user may also preferto have a configuration of settings be used based on the location of theuser and/or people who are attempting to engage the user's membership onthe social network service. For example, the user may want to have a“More Open” privacy setting be applied for people that are in the sameroom or at the same conference, while having a “Private” privacy settingfor every other location scenario. The settings management module 206may provide users with selection options configured to implement suchsituation-based setting options.

In some embodiments, the settings management module 206 is configured toautomatically determine and set the subcategory setting options 322.This automatic determination and application of the subcategory settingoptions 322 may be performed during the initial setup of the user'smembership on the social network service or anytime thereafter. In oneexample, the settings management module 206 may automatically determineand apply the initial subcategory setting options 322 for a user. Theuser may subsequently make changes to these settings. The settingsmanagement module 206 may then automatically determine better settingsfor the user and either implement those settings or recommend them tothe user. In some embodiments, the settings management module 206 may beconfigured to automatically determine the subcategory setting options322, and then provide a recommendation of those determined subcategorysetting options 322 to a user for confirmation of their application. Thesettings management module 206 may then apply those determinedsubcategory setting options 322 in response to an indication ofconfirmation from the user.

In some embodiments, the settings management module 206 is configured todetermine one or more setting options to be applied based on thesettings of other users of the social network service, information onwhich may be stored in one or more databases (e.g., database 210 in FIG.2). This determination may be made based on similarities of profileinformation between the other users and the user for whom the settingoptions are being determined. In some embodiments, the profileinformation may comprise at least one of work-related information (e.g.,job title, employer), skill-related information (e.g., certifications,interest-related information (e.g., what user is interested in),activity-related information (e.g., history of use of social networkservice), and education-related information (e.g., education level, typeof degree, major). In one example, if the user is a CEO of a largecompany, the settings management module 206 may determine that certainsubcategory setting options 322 should be applied based on thesubcategory setting options 322 of other CEO's of large companies.

The settings management module 206 may be configured to determine one ormore subcategory setting options 322 for a user. The settings managementmodule 206 may also be configured to determine a configuration ofsubcategory setting options 322 to be assigned to one of the categorysetting options 312 for the user. The settings management module 206 mayalso be configured to determine a category setting option 312 for theuser. In some embodiments, the settings management module 206 may beconfigured to automatically implement the determined subcategory settingoption(s) 322, the determined configuration of subcategory settingoptions 322, and/or the determined category setting option 312 withoutthe user's approval. In some embodiments, the settings management module206 may be configured to provide a recommendation of the determinedsubcategory setting option(s) 322, the determined configuration ofsubcategory setting options 322, and/or the determined category settingoption 312 to the user so that the user may decide whether or not toimplement the recommendation. FIG. 4 illustrates a recommendation 410 ofa proposed setting option (Name and Headline, instead of Anonymous)being provided.

In some embodiments, the settings management module 206 may beconfigured to provide information 324 describing or explaining thecurrently selected subcategory setting options 322. In some embodiments,the settings management module 206 may be configured to provide apreview 326 of an effect of at least one of the subcategory settingoptions being applied to the user's membership on the social networkservice. The information 324 and/or the preview 326 may be provided inresponse to a selection by the user of the corresponding subcategorysetting option 322. As seen in FIGS. 3A-3B, the user is provided with apreview 326 of what other people will see when viewing that user'sprofile. For example, under the “Default” category setting option 312,other people will be able to see the user's name and job title (e.g.,John Smith, Programmer at LinkedIn) with an empty picture slot, whereasunder the “Private” category setting option 312, other people will onlybe able to see that the user is a user of the social network service(e.g., LinkedIn User) with an empty picture slot.

In some embodiments, the settings management module 206 may also beconfigured to provide, subsequent to the configuration of subcategorysetting options being applied, information regarding a differencebetween the current and previous setting options for a setting category310 or a setting subcategory 320. FIG. 5 illustrates a user interface500 in which information 520 regarding the effect of changing a settingrelated to communications is displayed, in accordance with an exampleembodiment. In this example, the user made a change to his or hercommunications settings on May 11 that resulted in the user receiving amessage regarding career opportunities. Here, this information 520 isprovided next to the message 515 in the user's inbox 510. It iscontemplated that the information 520 explaining the effect of a changein a user's settings may be provided in a variety of ways other thanthat shown in FIG. 5.

It is contemplated that certain issues may arise regarding settings ofan online service depending on what laws are applicable. Such laws canbe based on the location of the user and can vary depending on theapplicable country, territory, state, region, county, or city, as wellas other distinguishing geographic identifications. For example, lawsregarding privacy settings in the United States may be different fromlaws regarding privacy settings in Germany. Similarly, the lawsregarding communication settings in California may be different fromlaws regarding communication settings in Michigan. Accordingly, thesettings management module 206 can be configured to customize thesettings page for a legal jurisdiction associated with the user. Thiscustomization feature for legal jurisdictions can help the onlineservice comply with the appropriate laws of geographic locations inwhich its services are being accessed.

The settings management module 206 can determine a legal jurisdictionassociated with the user. The legal jurisdiction can be determined basedon one or more of an IP address associated with the user or a device ofthe user, a MAC address associated with the user or a device of theuser, GPS location information associated with the user or a device ofthe user, or profile information of the user (e.g., address informationthat has been stored as part of the user's profile information).However, it is contemplated that the legal jurisdiction can bedetermined in other ways as well.

The settings management module 206 can use the determined jurisdictionto determine what setting categories 310 to present to the user, whatcategory setting options 312 to present to the user, what subcategories320 to present to the user, or what subcategory setting options 322 topresent to the user. In some embodiments, the settings management module206 is configured to select one of the category setting options 312 as apreselected default setting to apply to the user's settings and topresent to the user based on the legal jurisdiction associated with theuser. In this manner, a default category setting option 312 can bedetermined and preselected for the user. Additionally, a configurationof default subcategory setting options 322 for that default categorysetting option 312 can be determined and preselected for the user. Forexample, in FIG. 3A, the category setting option 312 of “Default” can beset as a preselected default setting for the user based on a determinedlegal jurisdiction of the user. Additionally, the configuration of thesubcategory setting options 322 (e.g., “Public”, “Connections”, “Nameand Headline”) shown in FIG. 3A for the category setting option 312 of“Default” can also be set as preselected default settings for thecategory setting option 312 of “Default” for that user based on thedetermined legal jurisdiction of the user. The same category settingoption 312 of “Default” can have a different configuration ofpreselected default subcategory setting options 322 based on a change inthe determined legal jurisdiction of the same user (e.g., the same useris accessing the online service from a different jurisdiction) or basedon a different user in a different legal jurisdiction accessing theonline service.

The settings management module 206 may also be configured to enable auser to search for settings. FIG. 6 illustrates a user interface 600 inwhich settings may be searched, in accordance with an exampleembodiment. In some embodiments, the settings management module 206 maybe configured to receive a search query from the user (e.g., via asearch box 610 and search button 615 on a webpage of the social networkservice), determine one or more setting categories 310 or settingsubcategories 320 related to the search query in response to receivingthe search query, and provide the setting categories 310 or settingsubcategories 320 related to the search query to the user in the form ofsearch results. In some embodiments, the settings management module 206may be configured to also provide selectable category setting options312 or selectable subcategory setting options 322 corresponding to thesetting categories 310 or setting subcategories 320 related to thesearch query to the user in the form of search results. In FIG. 6, theuser has submitted “activity” as the search query in order to view onlyactivity-related settings. It is contemplated that the setting searchfeature may be implemented in ways other than those shown in FIG. 6. Insome embodiments, the search feature may be used to filter settingcategories or subcategories as the user types in the search query. Forexample, the search results may change as the user is entering thecharacters of the search query so that the user does not need tocomplete the entire search query and click a button in order to beginthe search or filtering operation.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a method 700 of managing settings, inaccordance with an example embodiment. It is contemplated that theoperations of method 700 may be performed by a system or modules of asystem (e.g., settings management module 206 in FIG. 2). At operation710, a legal jurisdiction associated with a user of an online servicecan be determined, as previously discussed. At operation 720, a settingspage corresponding to the user's settings on the online service can beconfigured. The settings page may comprise selectable category settingoptions for a setting category. The setting category may have aplurality of subcategories, and each subcategory may have its ownselectable subcategory setting options. Each one of the category settingoptions may correspond to its own distinct configuration of subcategorysetting options for its subcategories. One or more of the selectablecategory setting options can be preselected for the user based on thelegal jurisdiction associated with the user, as previously discussed. Atoperation 730, the settings page may be caused to be displayed on adevice. At operation 740, a user input indicating a selection of one ofthe category setting options for the setting category may be received.At operation 750, the configuration of subcategory setting optionscorresponding to the selected one of the category setting options forthe setting category may be applied to the user's settings on the onlineservice. At operation 760, information regarding a difference betweenthe configuration of subcategory setting options being applied to theuser's settings and the configuration of subcategory setting options notbeing applied to the user's settings may be caused to be displayed on adevice.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a method 800 of enabling a user tocustomize a configuration of subcategory setting options for a categorysetting option, in accordance with an example embodiment. It iscontemplated that the operations of method 800 may be performed by asystem or modules of a system (e.g., settings management module 206 inFIG. 2). At operation 810, an indication to assign a customizedconfiguration of subcategory setting options for the subcategories ofthe setting category to one of the category setting options for thesetting category may be received from a user. At operation 820, thecustomized configuration of subcategory setting options for thesubcategories of the setting category may be assigned to the one of thecategory setting options for the setting category based on theindication from the user.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a method 900 of providing a previewof an effect of a setting option being applied, in accordance with anexample embodiment. It is contemplated that the operations of method 900may be performed by a system or modules of a system (e.g., settingsmanagement module 206 in FIG. 2). At operation 910, a user inputindicating a selection of a category setting option or a subcategorysetting option may be received. At operation 920, a preview of an effectof the selected category setting option or subcategory setting optionbeing applied to the user's settings on the online service may be causedto be displayed on a device. At operation 930, it may be determinedwhether or not the user has approved of applying the selected categorysetting option or subcategory setting option. If the user has notapproved of the application of the selected option, then the method maycome to an end. If the user has approved of the application of theselected option, then the selected option may be applied to the user'ssettings at operation 940.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a method 1000 of adjusting settingoptions for a user based on setting options of other users, inaccordance with an example embodiment. It is contemplated that theoperations of method 1000 may be performed by a system or modules of asystem (e.g., settings management module 206 in FIG. 2). At operation1010, a configuration of subcategory setting options to be assigned toone of the category setting options may be determined based onconfigurations of corresponding subcategory setting options for otherusers of the online service. In some embodiments, the other users aredetermined based on a similarity between profile information of theirprofiles with the corresponding profile information of the user'sprofile. In some embodiments, the profile information comprises at leastone of work-related information, skill-related information,interest-related information, activity-related information, andeducation-related information. At operation 1020, the determinedconfiguration of subcategory setting options may be automaticallyassigned to the one of the category setting options.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a method 1100 of providing arecommendation of a proposed setting option, in accordance with anexample embodiment. It is contemplated that the operations of method1100 may be performed by a system or modules of a system (e.g., settingsmanagement module 206 in FIG. 2). At operation 1110, a proposedsubcategory setting option may be determined for the user based on acorresponding subcategory setting option for other users of the onlineservice. At operation 1120, a recommendation of the proposed subcategorysetting option may be caused to be displayed on the device. At operation1130, a user input instructing application of the proposed subcategorysetting option to the user's settings on the online service may bereceived. At operation 1140, the proposed subcategory setting option maybe applied to the user's settings on the online service in response toreceiving the user input instructing such application.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a method 1200 of enabling a user tosearch for settings, in accordance with an example embodiment. It iscontemplated that the operations of method 1200 may be performed by asystem or modules of a system (e.g., settings management module 206 inFIG. 2). At operation 1210, a search query may be received from the uservia a webpage of the online service. At operation 1220, one or moresetting categories or setting subcategories related to the search querymay be determined in response to receiving the search query. Atoperation 1230, the determined one or more setting categories or settingsubcategories related to the search query may be caused to be displayedto the user in response to determining the one or more settingcategories or setting subcategories related to the search query. Atoperation 1240, selectable category setting options or selectablesubcategory setting options corresponding to the determined one or moresetting categories or setting subcategories related to the search querymay be caused to be displayed to the user based on the search query.

Modules, Components and Logic

Certain embodiments are described herein as including logic or a numberof components, modules, or mechanisms. Modules may constitute eithersoftware modules (e.g., code embodied (1) on a non-transitorymachine-readable medium or (2) in a transmission signal) orhardware-implemented modules. A hardware-implemented module is tangibleunit capable of performing certain operations and may be configured orarranged in a certain manner. In example embodiments, one or morecomputer systems (e.g., a standalone, client or server computer system)or one or more processors may be configured by software (e.g., anapplication or application portion) as a hardware-implemented modulethat operates to perform certain operations as described herein.

In various embodiments, a hardware-implemented module may be implementedmechanically or electronically. For example, a hardware-implementedmodule may comprise dedicated circuitry or logic that is permanentlyconfigured (e.g., as a special-purpose processor, such as a fieldprogrammable gate array (FPGA) or an application-specific integratedcircuit (ASIC)) to perform certain operations. A hardware-implementedmodule may also comprise programmable logic or circuitry (e.g., asencompassed within a general-purpose processor or other programmableprocessor) that is temporarily configured by software to perform certainoperations. It will be appreciated that the decision to implement ahardware-implemented module mechanically, in dedicated and permanentlyconfigured circuitry, or in temporarily configured circuitry (e.g.,configured by software) may be driven by cost and time considerations.

Accordingly, the term “hardware-implemented module” should be understoodto encompass a tangible entity, be that an entity that is physicallyconstructed, permanently configured (e.g., hardwired) or temporarily ortransitorily configured (e.g., programmed) to operate in a certainmanner and/or to perform certain operations described herein.Considering embodiments in which hardware-implemented modules aretemporarily configured (e.g., programmed), each of thehardware-implemented modules need not be configured or instantiated atany one instance in time. For example, where the hardware-implementedmodules comprise a general-purpose processor configured using software,the general-purpose processor may be configured as respective differenthardware-implemented modules at different times. Software mayaccordingly configure a processor, for example, to constitute aparticular hardware-implemented module at one instance of time and toconstitute a different hardware-implemented module at a differentinstance of time.

Hardware-implemented modules can provide information to, and receiveinformation from, other hardware-implemented modules. Accordingly, thedescribed hardware-implemented modules may be regarded as beingcommunicatively coupled. Where multiple of such hardware-implementedmodules exist contemporaneously, communications may be achieved throughsignal transmission (e.g., over appropriate circuits and buses) thatconnect the hardware-implemented modules. In embodiments in whichmultiple hardware-implemented modules are configured or instantiated atdifferent times, communications between such hardware-implementedmodules may be achieved, for example, through the storage and retrievalof information in memory structures to which the multiplehardware-implemented modules have access. For example, onehardware-implemented module may perform an operation, and store theoutput of that operation in a memory device to which it iscommunicatively coupled. A further hardware-implemented module may then,at a later time, access the memory device to retrieve and process thestored output. Hardware-implemented modules may also initiatecommunications with input or output devices, and can operate on aresource (e.g., a collection of information).

The various operations of example methods described herein may beperformed, at least partially, by one or more processors that aretemporarily configured (e.g., by software) or permanently configured toperform the relevant operations. Whether temporarily or permanentlyconfigured, such processors may constitute processor-implemented modulesthat operate to perform one or more operations or functions. The modulesreferred to herein may, in some example embodiments, compriseprocessor-implemented modules.

Similarly, the methods described herein may be at least partiallyprocessor-implemented. For example, at least some of the operations of amethod may be performed by one or more processors orprocessor-implemented modules. The performance of certain of theoperations may be distributed among the one or more processors, not onlyresiding within a single machine, but deployed across a number ofmachines. In some example embodiments, the processor or processors maybe located in a single location (e.g., within a home environment, anoffice environment or as a server farm), while in other embodiments theprocessors may be distributed across a number of locations.

The one or more processors may also operate to support performance ofthe relevant operations in a “cloud computing” environment or as a“software as a service” (SaaS). For example, at least some of theoperations may be performed by a group of computers (as examples ofmachines including processors), these operations being accessible via anetwork (e.g., the Internet) and via one or more appropriate interfaces(e.g., Application Program Interfaces (APIs).)

Electronic Apparatus and System

Example embodiments may be implemented in digital electronic circuitry,or in computer hardware, firmware, software, or in combinations of them.Example embodiments may be implemented using a computer program product,e.g., a computer program tangibly embodied in an information carrier,e.g., in a machine-readable medium for execution by, or to control theoperation of, data processing apparatus, e.g., a programmable processor,a computer, or multiple computers.

A computer program can be written in any form of programming language,including compiled or interpreted languages, and it can be deployed inany form, including as a stand-alone program or as a module, subroutine,or other unit suitable for use in a computing environment. A computerprogram can be deployed to be executed on one computer or on multiplecomputers at one site or distributed across multiple sites andinterconnected by a communication network.

In example embodiments, operations may be performed by one or moreprogrammable processors executing a computer program to performfunctions by operating on input data and generating output. Methodoperations can also be performed by, and apparatus of exampleembodiments may be implemented as, special purpose logic circuitry,e.g., a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or an application-specificintegrated circuit (ASIC).

The computing system can include clients and servers. A client andserver are generally remote from each other and typically interactthrough a communication network. The relationship of client and serverarises by virtue of computer programs running on the respectivecomputers and having a client-server relationship to each other. Inembodiments deploying a programmable computing system, it will beappreciated that that both hardware and software architectures meritconsideration. Specifically, it will be appreciated that the choice ofwhether to implement certain functionality in permanently configuredhardware (e.g., an ASIC), in temporarily configured hardware (e.g., acombination of software and a programmable processor), or a combinationof permanently and temporarily configured hardware may be a designchoice. Below are set out hardware (e.g., machine) and softwarearchitectures that may be deployed, in various example embodiments.

Example Machine Architecture and Machine-Readable Medium

FIG. 13 is a block diagram of an example computer system 1300 on whichmethodologies described herein may be executed, in accordance with anexample embodiment. In alternative embodiments, the machine operates asa standalone device or may be connected (e.g., networked) to othermachines. In a networked deployment, the machine may operate in thecapacity of a server or a client machine in server-client networkenvironment, or as a peer machine in a peer-to-peer (or distributed)network environment. The machine may be a personal computer (PC), atablet PC, a set-top box (STB), a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), acellular telephone, a web appliance, a network router, switch or bridge,or any machine capable of executing instructions (sequential orotherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine. Further,while only a single machine is illustrated, the term “machine” shallalso be taken to include any collection of machines that individually orjointly execute a set (or multiple sets) of instructions to perform anyone or more of the methodologies discussed herein.

The example computer system 1300 includes a processor 1302 (e.g., acentral processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU) orboth), a main memory 1304 and a static memory 1306, which communicatewith each other via a bus 1308. The computer system 1300 may furtherinclude a video display unit 1310 (e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD)or a cathode ray tube (CRT)). The computer system 1300 also includes analphanumeric input device 1312 (e.g., a keyboard or a touch-sensitivedisplay screen), a user interface (UI) navigation device 1314 (e.g., amouse), a disk drive unit 1316, a signal generation device 1318 (e.g., aspeaker) and a network interface device 1320.

Machine-Readable Medium

The disk drive unit 1316 includes a machine-readable medium 1322 onwhich is stored one or more sets of instructions and data structures(e.g., software) 1324 embodying or utilized by any one or more of themethodologies or functions described herein. The instructions 1324 mayalso reside, completely or at least partially, within the main memory1304 and/or within the processor 1302 during execution thereof by thecomputer system 1300, the main memory 1304 and the processor 1302 alsoconstituting machine-readable media.

While the machine-readable medium 1322 is shown in an example embodimentto be a single medium, the term “machine-readable medium” may include asingle medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized or distributeddatabase, and/or associated caches and servers) that store the one ormore instructions or data structures. The term “machine-readable medium”shall also be taken to include any tangible medium that is capable ofstoring, encoding or carrying instructions for execution by the machineand that cause the machine to perform any one or more of themethodologies of the present disclosure, or that is capable of storing,encoding or carrying data structures utilized by or associated with suchinstructions. The term “machine-readable medium” shall accordingly betaken to include, but not be limited to, solid-state memories, andoptical and magnetic media. Specific examples of machine-readable mediainclude non-volatile memory, including by way of example semiconductormemory devices, e.g., Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EPROM),Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM), and flashmemory devices; magnetic disks such as internal hard disks and removabledisks; magneto-optical disks; and CD-ROM and DVD-ROM disks.

Transmission Medium

The instructions 1324 may further be transmitted or received over acommunications network 1326 using a transmission medium. Theinstructions 1324 may be transmitted using the network interface device1320 and any one of a number of well-known transfer protocols (e.g.,HTTP). Examples of communication networks include a local area network(“LAN”), a wide area network (“WAN”), the Internet, mobile telephonenetworks, Plain Old Telephone (POTS) networks, and wireless datanetworks (e.g., WiFi and WiMax networks). The term “transmission medium”shall be taken to include any intangible medium that is capable ofstoring, encoding or carrying instructions for execution by the machine,and includes digital or analog communications signals or otherintangible media to facilitate communication of such software.

Although an embodiment has been described with reference to specificexample embodiments, it will be evident that various modifications andchanges may be made to these embodiments without departing from thebroader spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, thespecification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative ratherthan a restrictive sense. The accompanying drawings that form a parthereof, show by way of illustration, and not of limitation, specificembodiments in which the subject matter may be practiced. Theembodiments illustrated are described in sufficient detail to enablethose skilled in the art to practice the teachings disclosed herein.Other embodiments may be utilized and derived therefrom, such thatstructural and logical substitutions and changes may be made withoutdeparting from the scope of this disclosure. This Detailed Description,therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope ofvarious embodiments is defined only by the appended claims, along withthe full range of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

Such embodiments of the inventive subject matter may be referred toherein, individually and/or collectively, by the term “invention” merelyfor convenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope ofthis application to any single invention or inventive concept if morethan one is in fact disclosed. Thus, although specific embodiments havebeen illustrated and described herein, it should be appreciated that anyarrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substitutedfor the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to coverany and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments.Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments notspecifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in theart upon reviewing the above description.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: causing, by at least oneprocessor, a settings page corresponding to settings of the user on anonline service to be displayed on a device, the settings page comprisingselectable category setting options for a setting category, the settingcategory having a plurality of subcategories, and each subcategoryhaving its own selectable subcategory setting options, each one of thecategory setting options corresponding to its own distinct configurationof subcategory setting options for its subcategories, each subcategorysetting option for each of the plurality of subcategories beingdisplayed and available for selection across all configurations of thecategory setting options, the selectable category setting options beingselectable by the user; receiving a user input indicating a selection ofone of the category setting options for the setting category; applyingthe configuration of subcategory setting options corresponding to theselected one of the category setting options for the setting category tothe user's settings on the online service; and determining aconfiguration of subcategory setting options to be assigned to one ofthe category setting options based on configurations of correspondingsubcategory setting options for other users of the online service. 2.The method of claim 1, wherein the online service comprises a socialnetwork service, and the user's settings correspond to the user'smembership on the social network service.
 3. The method of claim 1,further comprising: determining a legal jurisdiction associated with auser of the online service; and preselecting one of the selectablecategory setting options for the user based on the legal jurisdictionassociate with the user.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the legaljurisdiction is determined based on an Internet Protocol (IP) addressassociated with the device, a media access control (MAC) addressassociated with the device, global positioning system (GPS) locationinformation associated with the device, or profile information of theuser.
 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving, from theuser, an indication to assign a customized configuration of subcategorysetting options for the subcategories of the setting category to one ofthe category setting options for the setting category; and assigning thecustomized configuration of subcategory setting options for thesubcategories of the setting category to the one of the category settingoptions for the setting category based on the indication from the user.6. The method of claim 1, wherein the settings page further comprises atleast one graphical user interface element configured to enable the userto indicate the selection of one of the category setting options for thesetting category.
 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising causingto be displayed on the device a preview of an effect of at least one ofthe subcategory setting options being applied to the user's settings onthe online service, wherein the preview is caused to be displayed on thedevice in response to a selection by the user of the at least one of thesubcategory setting options and prior to the application of the at leastone of the subcategory setting options to the user's settings.
 8. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising causing to be displayed on thedevice, subsequent to the configuration of subcategory setting optionsbeing applied to the user's settings, information regarding a differencebetween the configuration of subcategory setting options being appliedto the user's settings and the configuration of subcategory settingoptions not being applied to the user's settings.
 9. The method of claim1, wherein the other users are determined based on a similarity betweenprofile information of their profiles with the corresponding profileinformation of the user's profile.
 10. The method of claim 9, whereinthe profile information comprises at least one of work-relatedinformation, skill-related information, interest-related information,activity-related information, and education-related information.
 11. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising automatically assigning thedetermined configuration of subcategory setting options to the one ofthe category setting options.
 12. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: determining a proposed subcategory setting option for theuser based on a corresponding subcategory setting option for other usersof the online service; causing a recommendation of the proposedsubcategory setting option to be displayed on the device; receiving auser input instructing application of the proposed subcategory settingoption to the user's settings on the online service; and applying theproposed subcategory setting option to the user's settings on the onlineservice in response to receiving the user input instructing application.13. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving asituation-based selection from the user, the situation-based selectionindicating that the selected category setting option or at least one ofthe selected subcategory setting options should be used in a specificsituation; and using, based on the situation-based selection, theselected category setting option or the at least one of the selectedsubcategory setting options for the user's settings during the specificsituation.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the specific situation iswhen a profile of the user on the online service is being engaged via amobile device.
 15. The method of claim 13, wherein the specificsituation is based on the user's location.
 16. The method of claim 1,wherein the setting category comprises privacy-related settings orcommunications-related settings.
 17. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: receiving a search query from the user via a webpage of theonline service; determining one or more setting categories or settingsubcategories related to the search query in response to receiving thesearch query; and causing the determined one or more setting categoriesor setting subcategories related to the search query to be displayed tothe user in response to determining the one or more setting categoriesor setting subcategories related to the search query.
 18. The method ofclaim 17, further comprising causing selectable category setting optionsor selectable subcategory setting options corresponding to thedetermined one or more setting categories or setting subcategoriesrelated to the search query to be displayed to the user based on thesearch query.
 19. A system comprising: at least one processor; and anon-transitory machine-readable medium embodying a set of instructionsthat, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at leastone processor to perform operations, the operations comprising: causinga settings page corresponding to settings of the user on an onlineservice to be displayed on a device, the settings page comprisingselectable category setting options for a setting category, the settingcategory having a plurality of subcategories, and each subcategoryhaving its own selectable subcategory setting options, each one of thecategory setting options corresponding to its own distinct configurationof subcategory setting options for its subcategories, each subcategorysetting option for each of the plurality of subcategories beingdisplayed and available for selection across all configurations of thecategory setting options, the selectable category setting options beingselectable by the user; receiving a user input indicating a selection ofone of the category setting options for the setting category; applyingthe configuration of subcategory setting options corresponding to theselected one of the category setting options for the setting category tothe user's settings on the online service; and determining aconfiguration of subcategory setting options to be assigned to one ofthe category setting options based on configurations of correspondingsubcategory setting options for other users of the online service.
 20. Anon-transitory machine-readable medium embodying a set of instructionsthat, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to performoperations, the operations comprising: causing a settings pagecorresponding to settings of the user on an online service to bedisplayed on a device, the settings page comprising selectable categorysetting options for a setting category, the setting category having aplurality of subcategories, and each subcategory having its ownselectable subcategory setting options, each one of the category settingoptions corresponding to its own distinct configuration of subcategorysetting options for its subcategories, each subcategory setting optionfor each of the plurality of subcategories being displayed and availablefor selection across all configurations of the category setting options,the selectable category setting options being selectable by the user;receiving a user input indicating a selection of one of the categorysetting options for the setting category; applying the configuration ofsubcategory setting options corresponding to the selected one of thecategory setting options for the setting category to the user's settingson the online service; and determining a configuration of subcategorysetting options to be assigned to one of the category setting optionsbased on configurations of corresponding subcategory setting options forother users of the online service.